10 Years of BarryGruff: Gruffalo Soldiers Zine

10 years, eh? How did that happen? I don’t really know where to begin. It feels both like yesterday and an absolute age since I began this blog.

There was no great plan starting out. It was an opportunity to regularly write and share music I found interesting, and something to keep me sane in the unemployment ridden world of post-banking collapse Ireland.

While a lot has changed over the 10 years, I have tried to keep the focus on music that I like and find exciting. There is a special feeling when you find something new that knocks you for six, I’d get that feeling blog or no blog, but it is nice to be able to share with other people.

In the spirit of keeping the focus on the music, to mark the 10 year milestone I decided to put together a Zine with a focus on some of my favourite artists from the past decade. There are interviews with Cian Ciaran from Super Furry Animals, Jinx Lennon, Elsa Lester, Peaness, Seazoo, Anderson, Martha Ffion & Lauran Hibberd, along with superb articles from Joe Donnelly, Evan Lynch & Captain Moonlight.

It has taken a bit of time to pull it all together and not without its hiccups along the way so I’m delighted it came to fruition in the end. It is/was an attempt to re-create an old fashioned Zine, whether that has been achieved or not, I hope you enjoy reading it.

I’d like to thank Joe Donnelly, Evan Lynch & Captain Moonlight for their articles, Peter Lane for use of his photos and artwork, Johnny Feeney for his IT acumen and support, all the artists who kindly took the time to be interviewed. Thanks to Stevie and Caroline for their assistance in getting this over the line and lastly, thank you all for indulging me with your time – it is greatly appreciated.

Barry

Peaness Share ‘Seafoam Islands’, Announce New 7″

Peaness 2016: Photo by Debbie Ellis   Issue 68 / Bido Lito! Magazine.

Chester outfit Peaness have impressed at every given opportunity thus far, and the indie-pop trio are signing off on 2016 with news of a new 7″ for 2017.

‘Same Place’ will be released on January 27th through Cardiff’s Odd Box Record and accompanied by b-side ‘Seafoam Islands’. Before the 7″ release, as a taster, we’ve got the b-side. ‘Seafoam Islands’ gloriously parades the irresistible facets of Peaness’ brand of melodic, indie-pop goodness. It is insanely catchy and addictive indie-pop, littered with gloriously sweet harmonies, catchy riffs and a light coat of fuzz, while the wonderfully mellifluous vocals add the final sprinkle of magic dust on top. Another indie-pop gem and Peaness, it would seem, can do no wrong at the moment and long may it continue!

Same Place / Seafoam Islands is out on January 27 through Odd Box Records (more info here) and will be followed by a new, as-yet-untitled second EP and UK tour. You can check out ‘Seaform Islands’ and it’s delightful video below, now.

Peaness to Release Limited 7″: ‘I’m Not Your Problem’ / ‘Fortune Favours the Bold’

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Over the past 18 months or so, Chester indie-pop trio, Peaness have been one of the most reliable sources for irresistible top quality, 3-minute indie-pop gems.

Having impressed at every juncture thus far with a slew of tight releases, the trio have teamed up with Vancouver-based, Canadian DIY indie record label Kingfisher Bluez for a special 7″ release. Limited to 300, the release is comprised of two songs from their debut E.P. No Fun – ‘I’m Not Your Problem’ / ‘Fortune Favours the Bold’ – both offerings display their knack for indie-pop brilliance with two charming, addictive and perfectly formed songs bursting with cheery, chipper and uplifting vibes, the kind of tunes guaranteed to raise a smile. The latter in particular, is a doozy. The super buoyant ‘Fortune Favours The Bold’ unleashes a three-minute, sunkissed blitz of catchy riffs, melodies and sweet heavenly harmonies,  all coated in a light fuzz and imbued with youthful energy and assuredness.

You can listen to ‘I’m Not Your Problem’ and ‘Fortune Favours the Bold’ below. Both songs will be available on a very limited 7″ release (300 copies) from July 30th.

 

BarryGruff April 2016 Playlist

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Your regular monthly round up all the blog action, in a nice, neat and handy playlist of tracks featured throughout the month.

April was good, as was the weather but even better tunes and whatnot (although I was pretty busy with matters away from the blog). We had tracks courtesy of Amber Arcade, FFUG, SALES, Holy Fuck and Foreign/National from their respective, new and forthcoming albums. We had introductions to Supermoon and OMALOMA, while there were excellent new singles/EPs from Colleen Green, L.A. Witch, Koloto, Peaness, The Orange Kyte, Estrons and Pavel. Oh, and there were two new episodes of ‘Millions Like Us’, Justin Beats & I’s music podcast for 604now (if you missed them, check ’em here). You can also subscribe to ‘Millions Like Us’ on iTunes & Podcast Republic or find us on Facebook & Twitter.

Well then, that’s that for another month – listen to BarryGruff’s April 2016 playlist below. Enjoy!

Millions Like Us Podcast – Episode #14

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We’re thrilled to share yet another Millions Like Us Podcast with you all. It’s fantastic to back with the latest in a series of music podcasts hosted by Justin & I, in conjunction with Vancouver news & culture site 604now.

Every two weeks we aim to serve some lively and entertaining chat mixed with an eclectic selection of fabulous music from metro Vancouver and elsewhere. There’s plenty in there, well over an hour in fact, of great tunes and plenty of chat.

You can read more on it over here and of course, listen below (and the tracklist (with links) is after the jump too). You can subscribe to ‘Millions Like Us’ on iTunes & Podcast Republic, Mixcloud & SoundCloud, or find us on Facebook & Twitter. Or you can email us at millionslikeuspodcast[at]gmail[dot]com.

Thanks for all the support and once again, thanks for listening! We hope you enjoy Episode #14. And last but not least, thanks to Caroline for the super image.

Podcast #14 Tracklist:

 

Peaness – ‘Oh George’

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Chester indie-pop trio, Peaness (as in the quality of a ‘pea’) have impressed at every juncture so far. Their debut EP No Fun, released in August last year, was a splendid introduction and they kicked off their 2016 in similarly sumptuous style, with single ‘I Wish I Could Be Free’.

The trio of Rach, Balla & Jess now follow that with brand new single ‘Oh George’. Out on April 15th, it is inspired by the recent UK government changes made by chancellor tory tyrant, George Osbourne, and touches on the frustration and heartache caused since the new policies began to bite. Political tones or not, it is a bright and buoyant indie-pop-powerhouse. The the trio deliver an immensely catchy, addictive and urgent, 3-minute-pop-song, awash with wonderful vocals, sweet harmonies and catchy riffs, all coated in a light fuzz. It seems from the outside at least, Peaness have no problem at all in knocking out top quality, catchy, 3-minute indie-pop gems. Long may this bountiful yield continue.

The new single is out on April 15th and available for your ears right now, below. Peaness are also releasing a 7″ AA single of “I’m Not Your Problem / Fortune Favours The Bold” via Vancouver indie label ‘King Fisherbluez’, which is due out later this year.

Photo: Twin Moon

BarryGruff February 2016 Playlist

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Your regular monthly round up all the blog action, in a nice, neat and handy playlist of tracks featured throughout the month.

February was good, especially for new record announcements and whatnot. We had tunes from Living Hour, Amber Arcades, Holy Fuck, SALES and MMOTHS from their respective, new and forthcoming albums. We had introductions to MILK, The Orange Kyte Bousada and BeardFight, while there were excellent new singles/EPs from Freedom Fry, Peaness, Totalitarian and Light Falls. Oh, and there were two new episodes of ‘Millions Like Us’, Justin Beats & I’s new music podcast extravaganza for 604now (if you missed them, check ’em here). You can also subscribe to ‘Millions Like Us’ on iTunes & Podcast Republic or find us on Facebook & Twitter.

Well then, that’s that for another month – listen to BarryGruff’s February 2016 playlist below. Enjoy!

 

Peaness – ‘I Wish I Could Be Free’

Peaness photo taken by Twin Moon

Having loved their 2015 debut EP No Fun, which conversely is lots of fun, it’s great to discover Chester indie-pop trio, Peaness have launched into 2016 with similar gusto, releasing new single ‘I Wish I Could Be Free’.

The new one is adorned with all the bells and whistles that made their debut EP irrefutably irresistible. ‘I Wish I Could Be Free’ is a bright and buoyant indie-pop-powerhouse. Laden with wonderful vocals, sweet harmonies and catchy riffs, and coated in a light fuzz, it seamlessly slides from noisey to calm, and back again, with an ease and breeze. The trio have done it again! Delivering an immensely catchy, addictive and enjoyable, 3-minute-pop-song. No word on whether we should see ‘I Wish I Could Be Free’ form part of something more substantial or not, needless to say, hopefully we hear the follow-up to their debut EP sooner, rather than later.

Check out outstanding ‘I Wish I Could Be Free’ below now.

 

BarryGruff Playlist September 2015

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A now regular monthly feature, whereby we round up all the blog action with a nice, neat and handy playlist of tracks featured during the month.

September was pretty damn good, aside from saying goodbye to summer! We had tunes from Sexwitch, Gwenno, Hinds and The Altered Hours ahead of their respective, new and forthcoming albums. There were excellent new singles from Slow Riot, Tuff Love, BUCK, H. Hawkline, Freedom Fry, Gulp & Miaoux Miaoux. Oh, and their was the launch of ‘Millions Like Us’, Justin Beats & I’s new music podcast extravaganza for 604now (if you missed them? Why not listen to episodes #1 & #2)

Also featured on this month’s playlist are great tracks from Avid Walker, Mesa Luna, Ghost Culture, Boxed In, Anderson & Peaness. So yeah, pretty good alright.

Listen to BarryGruff’s September 2015 playlist below.

Peaness – ‘Summer Song’

Earlier this year indie-pop three-piece Peaness released their debut single ‘Fortune Favours The Bold’, quickly followed by their debut EP, No Fun.

The Chester trio – Rach, Balla & Jess – have provided us with an excellent and timely reminder of their charming, chirpy and hooky, surfy-guitar-pop-jangle, with a brand new video for single, ‘Summer Song’. A bright and buoyant indie-pop-powerhouse, ‘Summer Song’ is laden with sweet harmonies, catchy riffs and handclaps, all coated in a light fuzz, it is topped off with an irresistible chorus. It is so immensely catchy, enticing and addictive, it should probably come with a health warning. I said it before and I will say it again: Peaness dare to jangle in the long shadow of their influences but this trio appear to have figured out the deceptively simple, age-old secret to transcending influences: just write top notch songs.

You can purchase/stream their debut EP, No Fun here.